Assumptions

How often I presume to know how God will work.

How often I see the "best" way.

How often I assume that bigger is better,

that more is best,

that my plan is the right plan.

Assumptions are dangerous.

His ways are higher than my ways.

He is not dictated by my plans.

Psalm 18:30

As for God, His way is perfect.



How often I presume to know why folks act the way that they do.

How often I see what they "should have" done.

How often I assume the worst about people.

Assumptions are dangerous.

Kinda reminds me of the statement not to judge

"until I've walked a mile in their shoes."

Instead of making assumptions, I need to be in prayer
for God's will,
for my acceptance of His will,
for others,
for my forgiveness of others
for wisdom and discernment in relationships.

Learning

I think that I could very happily be a life-long classroom student, if God had not chosen me to be a wife and the finances would allow.  While I can't remain in school forever, I never want to stop learning.  I heard 2 very good messages at school this week during Bible Conference and 1 right before spring break.  Check out Marc Monte's messages on Biblical Separation and Servanthood as well as Rich Tozour's message on A Table in the Wilderness (a message on trusting God and seeing His provision).  If you have dial up or want to download these messages for another time check out Ambassador's sermon page.

I also learned this week that aloe plants do not like to sit in a sunny window in NC.  Aloe plants are fairly hardy and I have kept one alive now for quite awhile.  It has sat in my kitchen since we moved to Shelby.  Recently, with my spring cleaning, I had an empty table in the living room and decided to move it move my plant to a place of prominence.  Bad Idea!  My aloe plant, which is perfect for burns, got a sun burn itself!

Garden update:  Peas are still doing well, I can distinguish spinach, lettuce, beets, onions, and carrots.  I have planted tomatoes, cukes, squash, melons ... inside awaiting the final frost.  I also just purchased some beneficial nematodes ... these parasitic worms are supposed to help me in my fight against cut worm and squash bugs without harmful dusts and sprays.  I let you know how it turns out!

The second message in the Haggai series will be delivered tomorrow.  The first was on priorities, the second on discouragement and seeing Christian service and ministry as God does.  The Sunday School hour will be on Acts 6 - 7:  Qualifications of a deacon, the preaching of Stephen, and the martyrdom of Steven - way too much to get into one hour!

Have a pleasant Lord's Day!  See you next week!

Priority Check

A reminder from one of the messages given at church yesterday.

(the speaker in the morning was one of my favorites)

Haggai 3:9

Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little;

and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it.

Why?

saith the Lord of hosts.

Because of mine house that is waste,

and ye run every man unto his own house.

Is God's work and God's plan first in my life?

If not, he can take my plans and efforts and make them but dust.

AAAHH!

While Spring Break is not over, our little "staycation" is.  We opted to stay near Shelby and enjoy a schedule-free vacation.  We spent Monday in Greenville, SC.  We visited a book store, a beautiful little park, a small zoo, a new mall, and enjoyed dinner at our favorite restaurant.  Tuesday was spent helping a friend pursue employment - it was a grey day and the perfect weather for going around in the car.  Yesterday was my violin lesson and 2 piano lessons while hubby helped a friend with his brakes. 

Today we are back to work.  Hubby is at the farm and this little girl is working on piles of laundry and will try to get another room "spring cleaned."  If I finish this room, then I will only have ONE left.  By Saturday, the lawn (or weeds) will also get mowed for the first time this season.  I think there are also quite a few weeds to pull in my perennial garden.  ... OH, and I mustn't forget the exercise ... after the vacation from my kitchen ... well, you get the idea!

It is Thankful Thursday ... I am thankful for the little rests that refresh us so that we can keep going in whatever work the Lord has called us to.

Disappearing Act

I seem to do a lot of disappearing recently - and hopefully some of my "stuff" is as well.  I have been spring cleaning.  I only have 2 rooms and 3 closets left and one week until it is officially spring.  It has been a good feeling to get the place tidied and simplified.  I think that everything is slowly "finding a place" again so that I can live by the motto ... "a place for everything and everything in its place.

We are on spring break this week - so the blog entries may be sparse.  I will enjoy time with hubby and will spend the time when he is at work getting the last two rooms cleaned.

Garden progress - I saw some beet seedlings, some lettuce, some spinach, and a carrot or two (I think).  I planted some more peas today where some of last years seeds were duds and then some more lettuce, beets, onions, and carrots.  I am trying to decide whether to start the tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons inside or to wait until April 15 and plant them directly outside.  It is so hard to be patient.

We are looking forward to a busy, but enjoyable, Lord's Day with our church family tomorrow.

Three Bean Chili Chowder

Found this recipe on Money Saving Mom last week ... tried it ... and loved it.  Hubby really loved it to.  We were given a case each of kidney beans and black beans which also cut our cost on it.  I also think that it would be good without the chicken.

Three Bean Chili Chowder

1 large onion, chopped
2 Tablespoons oil

2 cups diced cooked chicken

1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 cup chicken broth

3/4 cup salsa

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

Cook onion until tender in oil. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 30 minutes to an hour.

If desired: garnish with shredded cheese, green onions and sour cream.

Makes approximately six servings.

No more excuses or delay tactics

You cannot do everything at once,

but you can do something at once.

~Calvin Coolidge~

A Minimalist?

I am in NO way a minimalist (though someone in my house just might be), but I sure do admire a simple life.  I will claim that perhaps it is just a little of the educator left in me that always wonders ... what could I repurpose that as?  There is also the side that says, will I just have to repurchase that if I get rid of it?

I mentioned finding some books on simplicity while I was at the library the other day ... and that is why I have disappeared from the blogosphere.  Once started, the books prompted me to once again go through the trailer evaluating the "stuff" inside.  Is it useful?  Do I love it?  and one question of my own ... Do I want to move it soon?  I definitely do not want to be ruled by my stuff. 

I began with some books and have quickly become an eBay seller again, trying to lighten the load (3 out and some 50 to go).  Then it was through the house and cupboards with the goal of a yard sale.  I don't know if I will come up with enough stuff, but maybe I can combine with another family or two to entice some buyers. 

Ta-Da

I know that you have all been waiting eagerly ...

the first sign of the coming peas!

One positive aspect of Shelby, NC - early spring!